LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Joey Votto has played through knee
pain for part of this major-league baseball season. Dwyane Wade needed surgery
on his knee about 20 seconds after the end of the NBA season. Everybody knew
both guys were hurt.
Peyton Siva, Kyle Kuric and several other University of
Louisville players performed while injured last season – and everybody knew
about that, too. Fans. Media. Opposing teams. EVERYBODY.
Ditto for Will Sheehey at Indiana and Terrence Jones at
Kentucky.
When basketball and baseball players are injured, we know
about it.
Coaches talk about it. Players discuss it. It's no big deal.
When football players are injured, mum's the word. Or else.
Lane Kiffin sprints away from press conferences as soon as
somebody asks about an injury. Steve Kragthorpe would never say a word about
injuries at Louisville. Chip Kelly doesn't want to be asked about them at
Oregon. Mike Leach of Washington State actually said that writing about
injuries is journalism at its worst.
There is a long list of football coaches who respond to
questions about injuries with the silent treatment. Or worse.
My question:
Why?
What's the big deal? Why are football coaches so much more
secretive and controlling than basketball coaches?
I've heard the stuff about football coaches being concerned
that if the other team knows that a guy is hurt, then the opponent will make
certain to hit the guy in the injured area. They believe that.
My immediate response to that is: Guys who think that way
must be instructing their guys to go after injured guys, too, right?
So I'll throw it open for debate:
What's the big deal about secrecy and football injuries? And
are you OK with coaches who refuse to talk about them?
Somebody please explain.
Copyright 2012 WDRB News. All Rights Reserved.
What's the big deal about injuries and football coaches?
